{mosimage}The Steelers need to save face as much as their division lead.

For many who watched the Steelers get taken over the knee of the New England Patriots on Sunday evening, it probably came across as a lesson in common sense. I'm sure the question "Why would you guarantee a win against the Patriots?" were uttered by most, likely with a profanity or two thrown in. As a life long Steeler fan, I have no answer for that question, but then again, there were many things on Sunday night that I had no answer for.

For those of you who don't know Anthony Smith (probably the large majority), Mr. Smith was a third round pick of the Steelers in 2006 out of Syracuse who is currently starting in place of Ryan Clark at Free Safety due to Clark's season ending spleen injury. Smith has shown much promise in his 1 ¾ seasons in the NFL, he has all of the tools needed to play at high level...except a brain. Before one of the biggest games of the season against the undefeated New England Patriots, Smith took it upon himself, and only himself, to guarantee a victory. This guarantee caused palpable outrage with Steeler fans and even drew contempt from many of his teammates and Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin said in an interview on Thursday "Anytime you have a big game you'll find some young guy in the corner of the locker room willing to guarantee a victory".

I was both disappointed and embarrassed that the guarantee was the marquee story going into such a great game. Many people tried to downplay the comments stating that once the game is started that stuff is out the window, but anyone who saw Tom Brady's reaction after his first touchdown pass was quickly made to think otherwise. The normally cool headed Brady sought Clark out in the end zone and said some things to him that he opted not to repeat after the game in fear of his mother hearing them. Less than two minutes later it was Brady to Moss for 63 yards on a play action pass that looked like something I've done on Madden 08. It only looked so easy because Smith blew the coverage. But the Steelers were able keep it together and go into the half down only by four.

During CBS' half time, Bill Cowher was noticeably passionate while describing what the Steelers had to do in the second half. Apparently the TV's weren't on in the locker room. The Patriots came out and dominated with a large part of their success coming at Smith's expense. Jabar Gaffney blew past Smith in the third quarter for a 56 yard touchdown after Smith bit hard another fake.

I wish this would've been the end of the game, but it only got uglier. To sum up the rest of the game: LB Arnold Harrison, another player who shouldn't be on the radar, was penalized 15 yards for a ridiculous late hit on special teams, players started fighting, Anthony Smith hit a Patriot WR late in the end zone and the Patriots passed their way down the field to salt the game away.

I don't mind losing to a great team like the Patriots straight up, but when you throw in the Smith guarantee and all of the collapsing that ensued, it all adds up to an embarrassment for the franchise. I'm not just a Steeler fan because they play in my hometown, but also because I appreciate the way they do business. All the sore loser antics that went on Sunday evening combined with 60,000+ Patriot fans chanting "Guarantee Guarantee" probably made the Steelers late founder Art Rooney Sr. turn in his grave. Those weren't my Pittsburgh Steelers and the loss was more significant than just going 9-4.

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Bugeatersteve said:

	Jason (Personal Foul) Good article, nicely written you are correct in regards to young players giving out "bullentin board" material to reporters, most of whom are experienced enough to "bait" a younger player into making such boasts. With what the Patriots are attempting to do, it was the "final" piece they needed to motivate themselves after a couple of "down" weeks.
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December 12, 2007
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JEH45 said:

	Stupid yes. What i didn't realize because I half assed watched the game was that they picked on Smith. Maybe that is a leason learned.
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December 12, 2007
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Lloyds Apple said:

I really hate Tom Brady. Listening to his Les Mile-ish smug comments regarding what he knows of the glorious world he lives in makes me want to hurl. I am seriously thinking that they lose to the Colts in the playoffs. That would be sweet. What peeved me about Brady's comments too was that I thought Smith's guarantee was overblown. It's like the press smelled blood, but meat was lacking. Brady is not half as cool as Joe Montana.

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December 12, 2007
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onearmedbandit said:

C'mon Lloyds, Tom Brady rules. He is what every red-blooded American man would want to be. He is destroying hallowed NFL records en route to an MVP season and a 4th Super Bowl ring. Meanwhile, he's got a son to carry on his legacy with a hot actress who he dumped........for a fucking supermodel! Tom Brady has the world by the balls. The only thing wrong with him, and it's a big one, is that he went to Michigan. Still, to not respect what he has done, is doing, and will do is just silly. The man is going to go down as one of the top three QBs of all time when his career is over, and he can get inside any girl he wants by simply saying "I'm Tom Brady". Wouldn't you be a little smug at that point? He is living the perfect life. He's what we all aspire to be. How can you not enjoy watching him decimate defenses on a weekly basis with a precision that only Peyton Manning could dream of matching? I have an unhealthy man crush on Tom Brady, and I don't care if the world knows it!

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December 12, 2007
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Lloyds Apple said:

	Hey man, ya know it's hard to disagree with much of what you said. I will say that Joe Montana went to Notre Dame, who I hate as much if not more than Michigan. My theory still stands, Tom Brady is not half as cool as Joe Montana.
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December 12, 2007
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